Over the summer holidays, La Mare de Carteret Primary School had new playground markings installed to encourage physical activity among its young pupils. The fun and colourful work includes a painted roadway, complete with parking spots and a petrol station, a new 100-grid square, an alphabetically-long, winding snake and a ‘Daily Mile’ track.
The route is stamped with multi-coloured foot prints and children count 18 laps to equal one mile.
‘We sort of lost a bit of structure to the Daily Mile initiative,’ said deputy head teacher Juliet Ford.
‘So this is a small part of our positive playtime project. It’s been a long time since we’ve done improvements to the playground. We’re working to improve outside provisions and the markings have been a great addition. The children are developing new games. We consulted them prior to installing to see what they wanted to have, which was nice, and they have school bikes provided.’
Five-year-old Isla Herve said she particularly likes riding her bike around the new roadway.
The project was supported by the school’s PTA and the Health Improvement Commission.
‘It’s wonderful, look how happy they are,’ said PTA vice-chairwoman Kate Winter.
‘It helps with their development and they’re having so much fun at the same time. I just want to go and play with them.’
Be Active lead Alex Costen from the Health Improvement Commission said it was delighted to help with the project.
‘Children thrive when they move, explore and play,’ she said.
‘Physical activity isn’t just about burning energy – it’s vital for developing motor skills, boosting mental focus, and building emotional resilience. Playgrounds are also important areas where children practice teamwork, creativity, and problem solve.’
Mrs Costen added that it is also funding a bike instructor to lead the school’s new Learn to Cycle after-school club, which is set to launch this term. This is being done alongside the Sports Commission.
The club is designed to give children confidence about cycling before they progress to Bikeability.
‘We want children to enjoy and be confident on a bike so they can ride to school, leading to a safer school environment at drop-off and pick-up times – helping children to stay healthy and active.’
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